Author: catstark

From Protector of the Grey House:

“No word from your spies?” He aimed the question at Anthony’s reflection.

“No sir.” Anthony told him about having her followed when she did not return after the second day. Vincent was angry, but not surprised. He took the information in stride and asked for any information. Unfortunately, Wayne had not reported for four days.

“Still don’t understand why you had her followed.” Mierka was aggravated, which was rare for her. It showed the men in the room how angry and worried she really was about the situation.

“Calm yourself Mierka, he was only doing his job.” Vincent turned from the window, regarded the only silent one in the room. As always, Joseph kept his opinions to himself, until he had Vincent’s ear only. Since he wondered at his loyal friend’s thoughts, he caught Mierka and Anthony’s gazes. “Leave us. Go train. We’ll join you shortly.”

From Protector of the Grey House:

Natalia hadn’t expected to be launched across the room into Lorraine’s group, but she was. She didn’t expect to feel what she had under Rowland’s jacket, but she did. By the time Rowland stood and Vincent turned Alexandra’s attention on her, Natalia had Rowland’s gun in her hand. She didn’t know why the vampire carried a gun and didn’t care. It wasn’t important. There were no other weapons in the room. She had to improvise and use whatever she could get her hands on.

The handgun was a semi-auto, built to hold about 15 rounds in the clip. Natalia noticed all this in the seconds it took to pull the simple black gun out of Rowland’s shoulder holster, turn and point it at Alexandra. She had been trained to use guns too, years ago in Montana. It was simply better to use weapons that left less obvious traces. She sighted the vampire aimed high on the woman’s chest and fired. Enough conventional bullets might blow the woman’s head off.

The bullet hit the woman’s chest, and the vampire started to scream as her skin sizzled into life.

“Phosphorous rounds,” thought Natalia. “The damn vampire was carrying a gun with phosphorous rounds. What an ingenious idea.”

From Protector of the Grey House:

“I like to know the name of the people I kill. Makes it easier to pray for their souls.” She mocked him.

He visibly grew more righteous. “You will beg for mercy before the end comes.”

A seductive look came over her features. “That would be a great way to go.”

The father took a cross out of his suit and flashed it before her. He started frothing scripture. The words ran together and became unknowable. Natalia simply yawned and watched as her people got into position. The werewolves were still human, but Rebecca grinned with anticipation, yellow eyes blazing. Charlie looked ready to launch himself at the priest, and two of the humans had stepped up behind Natalia to guard her rear. Their guns were not yet visible, but their hands were at the ready. Natalia did not want to risk a fight in such small of a space, therefore turned her attention to Ashley.

Charlie is my favorite character in this trilogy. He and Natalia have a huge history, which due to reasons, I decided to cut out. I’ve realized that I will most probably never share their full history. The story isn’t in me, or rather, hasn’t show itself to me fully, yet. And I’m moving on to other things. Therefore, I decided to share how they met the second time here. I might continue to add their story until all of it is out. Maybe that’s what I’ll do all week (or the next few days). Haven’t full decided.

Natalia and Charlie:

The end of the day did not come quick enough. An hour ago, a regular asked her out for drinks, and that sounded rather nice to Natalia. She declined quickly and stayed away from him. She did not want to give in to temptation. When her shift was over she changed from her pseudo uniform of black skirt and white shirt to jeans and baby tee in the bathroom and walked out the kitchen door, into the fading sun. It was six o’clock and had been a very long day.

Once outside, she headed for the church. She needed peace, and didn’t want to go home. Crossing the well-lit park, she looked around, out of paranoia, for Zechariah. Halfway through the park, she noticed someone watching her. He was leaning against a tree, hands in his jean pockets. His shirt was stark white and fit tight on his chest. His hair was shaggy brown and hung down over his ears. He was watching her intently. She hoped it wasn’t one of Zechariah’s buddies.

Natalia continued on to the church and hurried inside. She sat in one of the benches along the back wall of the narthex. There was a basin for holy water, which made for great cover. She waited ten minutes and when her watcher didn’t come in she calmed down and went to one of the front pews. She knelt and repeated the prayer that Pastor Martin had said the night Marnia died. Natalia had committed it to memory almost accidentally. Once done, she sat in the pew and listened to the soft echoes of the nuns praying close to her. Feeling out of place she got up, lit a candle and left.

The world outside had gotten darker. She breathed deep and looked around for her watcher. No one was around. Feeling silly, Natalia decided to walk home. It wasn’t that far, but it was almost all up hill, so it was great exercise. She had walked a block when she heard some suspicious noise coming from an alley. Unzipping her backpack Natalia pulled out the garlic coated silver dagger Judith had given her. She pulled both straps of the backpack onto her shoulders and crept closer, spying two men further down the alley. One had his back to her and was dressed in a suit. He was spouting scripture. The voice was a dead give away. She quietly and quickly called 911, telling them where to find Zechariah Haynes. She hung up then looked at the other man. The other man was her watcher: same hair, same outfit. And this time, she recognized him. She tried not to gasp as she looked around for a blunt object.

                                                *****

The man had ambushed Charlie while he was watching the waitress cross the park. He started in on the holiness of the Word of God and Charlie humored him. After two minutes it dawned on the Man of God that he was talking to a Hellspawn, and things took a turn for the worse. Giving up on the waitress, Charlie headed for Union Street, knowing there was an alley or two he could lead the Slayer down and take care of the situation.

The woman still held most of his attention though. He had seen her in the restaurant. His boss had suggested it, saying it had the best steak in San Francisco. Daniel was right. Had he not seen the waitress on the other side of the restaurant, his meal would have been perfect. He was not in her area, so he couldn’t start up a conversation with her. And when he asked his waitress for the woman’s name, it did not trigger any better memories. Natalie looked very familiar, but he had no idea where from.

Charlie waited for her in the park, wanting to follow her home. He needed to know who she was. But now the Slayer had him trapped in an alley. He was supposed to trap the Slayer, not the other way around, but the waitress still captured his thoughts. The guy was still spouting off about the devil and cleansing the world of sin.

“I will send you back to your Hell! I will not allow you to live another moment! You are responsible for the evil in this world and must pay for it! GET DOWN ON YOUR KNEES AND PRA-AY FOR FORGIVNESS, DEMON SPAWN!” He was gesturing with one hand and the other was behind his back. Charlie didn’t like when crazies hid one hand. It usually meant trouble.

It was nighttime, so he could get away with changing and gutting the man. Only problem, he was too far from home with no change of clothing. He could lie.

“Look, I don’t know who you think I am, and I don’t care. Why don’t you just go back to the church and leave me alone. I may not be a pillar of the community, but I’m not a demon spawn or whatever it is you think I am.”

“I can smell the devil in you, boy! It is a sin to lie in the face of Go-od! Kneel down and PRA-AY for forgive- ugh.”

The Slayer fell forward. There was a loud clatter on the ground as a revolver hit the concrete. Standing behind the Slayer was the waitress. She was standing like a baseball player after a successful hit, except for the dagger in her mouth. Looking him dead in the eye, she dropped the piece of board she had used as a bat, took the dagger out of her mouth with her right hand and held it at the ready by her left side. The blade was facing toward him. He had no doubt she knew how to use the silver dagger.

“Hello, Charlie. Haven’t seen you in a while.” Her voice was dead cold.

Charlie looked from the Slayer on the ground to the knife to the deadly beautiful woman holding it. “Who are you?”

 “You spend three weeks in a silver cage and you forget the woman who saved your life?” Sarcasm dripped from her voice. “I’m heartbroken Charlie, simply heartbroken.”

Charlie’s jaw dropped. The woman in front of him was not the girl who saved his life. He stared at her, wondering how much someone had to go through in two years in order to become that hardened in that short a span of time.

Natalia assessed Charlie; trying to determine how much danger she was in. Was he a threat? He had not been the first time they met and she just saved him again. She looked him up and down, realizing that she did not fear him, mostly due to his smile and kind eyes.

“I called the police Charlie. They’re on their way.” Her voice had gotten softer.

What she was saying finally sunk in. “Why did you call the police?”

“Long story.” The sirens echoed in the background. “Are you going to stick around and talk to them?” Her voice was dripping with sarcasm.

He did not answer. “You’re not going to kill me are you?”

She sighed heavily, exasperated. Her guard came down for a second. “I’m not the Slayer, Charlie. He is. I have no reason to kill you.”

He stepped closer, very curious now. “So what are you?”

Natalia stared at him for a moment. “I am what I am.”

The sirens were getting closer. Charlie narrowed his eyes at Natalia. “Are you going to be here when the police arrive?”

Natalia grabbed her backpack and put the knife away. “Not if I can help it. Are you?”

“Nope.” He gave her a wolf’s grin, waiting for her to leave.

She looked at him, “What are you waiting for?”

The grin got larger. “I’m not leaving until you tell me what the deal is between you and my late night snack.”

She gave him a dead look, then allowed her features to soften. “Fine, get arrested. Not my problem.”

Natalia turned and left the alley. Charlie looked at her retreating form unbelievingly. He shook his head then followed her out, not wanting to be found in an alley with a passed out Slayer.

At the head of the alley, he slunk low, trying not to be seen by the fast approaching squad car. He saw Natalia as she ran up the hill, and decided to follow.

The werewolf followed her home, being careful not to be seen. She did look around a little, but seemed to mostly ignore her surroundings. After a mile or maybe two, she went into a one-story house on Green St. He waited to hear the front door slam and jumped the fence. It was full on dark and there wasn’t much in the way of streetlights. He strolled up the walkway wondering what he was doing. Taking a deep breath, Charlie rang the doorbell.

From Protector of the Grey House:

Vincent opened his eyes and listened to the sounds of the room. When silence greeted him, he turned his head left then right. Mierka still slept to his right, her back to him. His eyes narrowed. Though she woke him earlier to talk, he was still angry that she staked him. His eyes narrowed further: twice. He elongated his fangs and growled. She heard the growl, stretched, then took her time to turn to him. The lazy smile on her face spoke volumes.

Mierka reached out and placed her hand on his chest. “And how are you this evening?”

He batted her hand away. She smirked and he growled again.

“Are you angry with me?”

“Twice.”

She rolled her eyes then rolled onto her back. “We went over this. There is precedence.”

He growled and moved on top of her in the blink of an eye. His legs straddled her waist and his hands rested next to her shoulders. His face hovered no more than an inch or two above hers. He bared his fangs again growled his utter displeasure at the situation and her detachment.

Mierka smirked. “What will you do? Do you wish to fight me? Will that make you feel better?” She ran her hand down his bare chest. “Fighting you is always such a pleasure.”

From Protector of the Grey House:

Now, with no trace of Natalia in the two-room cabin, Charlie was faced with an impassable door. He growled, turned Blitzkrieg and attacked the wall. The plywood gave away easily to his large form and he slammed through the other side, into a shelf full of canned goods. Full of mindless rage, he attacked the cans, and nearly broke teeth on the heavy aluminum. He changed back when he understood that all was well, and the French cut green beans weren’t trying to keep him from Natalia.

Charlie stumbled into the kitchen, and nearly tripped over downed cans. He heard the others coming down the steps after him and looked around. At the entryway to the living room stood a girl. There was dried blood all over her and she looked frightened beyond reckoning. She shook like the last leaf on an otherwise barren tree. She sank to her knees as Charlie approached her.

“Please don’t hurt me.” Her voice was too quiet to hear. Charlie watched as she shaped the words.

From Protector of the Grey House:

Natalia’s sigh turned into a slight sob. It would be so easy to lay her troubles at Vincent’s feet. Someone else could go after Donald while Vincent sucked the blood out of her willing body. Vincent, sensing her thoughts, lowered his lips to her neck and growled against her skin. He knew she wouldn’t allow him to change her this day, but she seemed to consider it more and more. Soon, she would say yes, and he would have what he wanted.

She sighed as his teeth scraped her skin and he pulled back. Vincent wanted to undress her, wanted to enjoy his woman, but the sigh and the look in her eyes showed how tired she truly was. If he wanted, he could easily seduce her, easily convince her she was able to take him on, but what good would that do her? She was in a dangerous situation and needed to be on her toes. Vincent gave his own sigh and brought Natalia closer to him. She leaned her head on his chest, and curled up close to him.

Vincent brushed his hand through her hair softly. He kissed the top of her head, then helped her to move to a better position.

From Protector of the Grey House:

Charlie nodded and headed out of the room. On the screens, Natalia walked through each of her rooms, but locked the doors as she passed through them. The wolf frowned. Natalia never locked the doors. As Rebecca watched she realized Natalia did seem off. Her movements weren’t as decisive as they usually were. She seemed to hesitate a lot, as if dazed. Rebecca narrowed her eyes as Natalia went into the bathroom, lit a few candles, then turned off the overheads.

Rebecca slammed her hands on the counter. “Charlie!”

“Right here.”

She turned and saw Charlie and Angie. Rebecca nodded, turned back to the monitors, and typed in a few commands. Though Natalia’s sitting room came into view, the other rooms remained black. “If she comes back into the sitting room, or leaves those rooms at all, you come get me. Angie, you, and I need to wake Joseph up. Are you well?”

“Yes.”

From Protector of the Grey House:

Charlie typed in a few codes to try to pull up those rooms and couldn’t. “Huh. That hasn’t happened in a long time.”

“What?” She leaned over the side of his chair to get a better look at the monitors.

He pulled back a little as she hoped from foot to foot and wondered if he had ever known her to be this agitated. “His rooms were never on screen during the day before you came. Whenever I was on duty, his rooms would black out one at a time as he went into them at sunrise and would come back on after he was awake.”

“You saw the sitting room but not the bathroom or bedroom?” She pulled back, crossed her arms, and tried to decipher the odd news.

Charlie thought about if for a moment then shook his head. “No, didn’t usually see any of them. Didn’t think much of it since it’s his house.”

From Protector of the Grey House:

Natalia looked at the wall. “I saw it and wanted nothing more than to put that thing on my finger. As I reached for it, something inside me screamed. I did everything I could to stop myself from taking it.” She looked to Anthony. “The rest is fuzzy, but I woke in the dungeon. Joseph was holding me over the oubliette.”

Anthony gazed at her dispassionately. “How fuzzy?”

“Flashes. I called Joseph a miserable Hellspawn.” She rolled her eyes. “Which I’m sure feeds into your thoughts that I’m here to kill you all.”

“Well, aren’t you?”

“To what end? And if I wanted everyone dead, don’t you think I would have tried that by now?”

He opened his mouth to argue, but stopped and thought about her statement.  After a moment, he placed the glass on the desk in front of him, stood, and started to pace.

“You never thought of that did you?” Her voice was decidedly smug.

He glared at her, but then let his emotions go and shook his head. “No, I didn’t.”